WestConn Athletics Awarded NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching Grant

Jul 31, 2018

DANBURY, CT - The Western Connecticut State University Athletic Department, under the leadership of second-year Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports Lori R. Mazza, is excited to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious NCAA Division III Strategic Alliance Matching Grant.

"We are very excited about this NCAA grant," stated Mazza. "The athletic department is growing and so are the infrastructure needs to support the growth. The opportunity we have been given, both by the University and the NCAA, to hire a person to assist us in our needs is an extraordinary benefit to not only the department but our students."

"I am very appreciative of the NCAA for this grant, which is awarded to only a select number of institutions and conferences," added Mazza. It is a competitive grant process and I am grateful that our application was chosen. I look forward to working with a collaborative, energetic individual who can share our vision as we continue our growth here at WestConn."

The NCAA Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Management Council and Presidents Council have approved the implementation of the Division III Stratigic Alliance Matching Grant. This grant is designed to provide financial assistance to the division's member schools and conferences that are committed to enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in mid-to-senior-level, intercollegiate athletics administrative positions.

This position will be exposed to a variety of the following areas: strategic planning; budget management; fundraising; campus and NCAA compliance; sport oversight; student-athlete welfare issues and initiatives; academics; diversity and inclusion initiatives; and staff oversight/management.